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Phi Phi Islands: The Complete Guide

Last updated 2026-07-07

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TL;DR: Ko Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island with hotels, bars and Ton Sai village; Phi Phi Leh next door is uninhabited and holds Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave, visited only as a day stop. Get there by ferry from Phuket’s Rassada Pier (~2 hours, ฿600 one-way / ฿1,200 return, or speedboat in ~1-1.5 hours for ฿850/฿1,700) or from Ao Nang/Krabi (~1.5-2 hours, ~฿600-650 one-way). Maya Bay charges a ฿400 (US$12) national park fee for foreign adults (฿200/$6 children), is open 8am-4:30pm daily, closes every August 1-September 30 for coral recovery, and bans swimming (wading only). A standard speedboat day tour covering Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island runs ฿1,500-2,800 (~US$45-85); staying overnight costs more but buys you the viewpoint at sunrise before the tour boats arrive. All prices at ฿33 = US$1, July 2026.

“Phi Phi Islands” actually means two different places, and mixing them up is the most common mistake first-time visitors make. Ko Phi Phi Don is where you sleep, eat and drink; Phi Phi Leh, 15-20 minutes away by boat, is the uninhabited island with the postcard scenery: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave. This guide covers both, how to get there from Phuket or Krabi, the Maya Bay fee and rules in 2026, whether a day trip or overnight stay makes more sense, and the honest state of the crowds and party scene.

Every fee, ferry time and price below comes from operator schedules, the national park’s own fee structure and 2026 tour listings, listed in Sources. Prices are in Thai baht (THB) with US dollars in parentheses, at ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026); boat and tour prices are ranges because they vary by operator, season and how far ahead you book.

Table of Contents

How do you get to Phi Phi Islands?

There’s no airport and no bridge: every visitor arrives by boat, from either Phuket or the Krabi coast, with no direct route from Bangkok other than flying into one of those two first.

How to get thereFromTimePrice (one-way)
Standard ferryPhuket (Rassada Pier)~2 hours฿600 ($18); ฿1,200 ($36) return
SpeedboatPhuket (Rassada Pier)~1-1.5 hours฿850 ($26); ฿1,700 ($52) return
FerryAo Nang, Krabi~1.5-2 hours฿600-650 ($18-20)
FerryKrabi Town pier~1.5-2 hours฿600-650 ($18-20)
Day-tour speedboat (round trip incl. stops)Phuket or KrabiFull day, 8-10 hrs฿1,500-2,800 (~$45-85)

Prices at ฿33 = US$1, July 2026. Ferries run daily year-round; speedboats and day tours can be cancelled or delayed in rough seas during the May-October monsoon.

From Phuket, ferries and speedboats leave from Rassada Pier near Phuket Town, with multiple daily departures (commonly around 08:30, 11:00, 13:30 and 15:00). The standard ferry takes about 2 hours; the speedboat is faster at roughly 1-1.5 hours for a higher fare. Check the best time to visit Phuket guide before locking in dates, since sea conditions affect the crossing.

From Krabi or Ao Nang, ferries take about 1.5-2 hours at a similar price to the Phuket ferry. If you’re already staying on that side, there’s no need to route through Phuket first.

Book a day or two ahead in the December-April high season, when boats can sell out; in quieter months, walk-up tickets are usually fine.

Is Phi Phi Don the same as Phi Phi Leh?

No. Ko Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island in the group, home to Ton Sai village, all the hotels, restaurants and bars, and it’s where every ferry and speedboat from Phuket or Krabi actually docks. Phi Phi Leh is a separate, uninhabited island about 15-20 minutes away by longtail or speedboat, ringed by dramatic limestone cliffs, and it’s where Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave all sit. Nobody stays overnight on Phi Phi Leh; every visit is a day stop, whether from the mainland or hopping over from Phi Phi Don.

A “Phi Phi day trip” from Phuket or Krabi is really a loop that touches Phi Phi Don briefly and spends most of its time around Phi Phi Leh’s bays and lagoons.

What are the Maya Bay fees and rules in 2026?

Maya Bay sits inside Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and charges a separate entrance fee of ฿400 (~US$12) per foreign adult and ฿200 (~US$6) per foreign child, on top of any ferry, speedboat or tour price. Thai nationals pay ฿40 and ฿20. Park officials say this rate has been unchanged since 2010 despite periodic rumours of increases, though it’s worth confirming at booking.

The park’s marine attractions, Maya Bay included, are open daily from 8am to 4:30pm. The bay closes every year from August 1 to September 30 to let the coral reef recover from tourist traffic, a closure in place since Maya Bay’s 2018-2022 rehabilitation.

The rule that catches people out is around the water itself: swimming in Maya Bay is banned. Since the 2022 reopening under a conservation-first plan, visitors land via the back beach at Loh Samah Bay, walk in on a boardwalk, and can only wade knee-deep in a marked shallow zone. If you want an actual swim, that happens elsewhere on the trip.

Most day-tour prices exclude the ฿400 park fee; it’s typically collected separately in cash on the day.

What else is there to do besides Maya Bay?

Maya Bay is the name everyone knows, but the rest of the Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don loop is arguably just as good, and far less crowded.

  • Pileh Lagoon — a near-enclosed turquoise lagoon ringed by sheer cliffs, reached through a narrow gap in the rock; calmer and less packed than Maya Bay, and a regular swimming stop.
  • Viking Cave — a limestone cave on Phi Phi Leh’s cliffs, named for ancient rock paintings resembling Viking ships and historically used to harvest swiftlet nests; most boats view it from the water.
  • Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Phai) — a small island north of Phi Phi Don with white sand and good snorkelling, often added to mid-range and premium tour packages.
  • The Phi Phi Don viewpoint — a steep, short hike above Ton Sai village for a classic view over the double bay; go early morning or before sunset.
  • Snorkelling — beyond Pileh and Bamboo Island, Loh Samah Bay and Monkey Beach (on Phi Phi Don) are common stops for reef fish and coral.

Should you do a day trip or stay overnight?

A day trip from Phuket, Krabi or Ao Nang is the simpler, more common choice: book a speedboat tour, cover Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and usually Bamboo Island in one 8-10 hour loop, and you’re back at your mainland hotel by evening. Standard packages run ฿1,500-2,800 (~US$45-85), premium catamaran trips run ฿2,800-3,500 (~$85-106), and sunrise tours leaving around 4:40-5am to beat the fleet into Maya Bay cost ฿3,200-4,500 (~$97-136).

Staying overnight on Ko Phi Phi Don costs more once you add a room and your own return ferry, but it buys you the viewpoint hike at sunrise or sunset without a tour schedule dictating your time, plus a full evening and morning on the island after the day-trippers leave. Booking a Maya Bay trip from Phi Phi Don itself also gets you there earlier than boats coming from the mainland.

If Phi Phi is a stop on a wider Thailand loop, a day trip covers the highlights efficiently; check the Thailand itinerary guide for how it fits around a longer south Thailand route. If Phi Phi itself is the point, one or two nights is worth the extra cost.

Where should you stay on Phi Phi Don?

Every hotel, guesthouse and resort is on Ko Phi Phi Don; there’s no accommodation on Phi Phi Leh. Three areas cover most options:

  • Ton Sai — the main village around the pier, with the widest range of budget guesthouses, restaurants and dive shops, and the shortest walk to everything. Also the loudest area at night.
  • Long Beach — a short longtail ride southeast of Ton Sai, calmer and more resort-style while staying close enough to reach the village easily.
  • Laem Tong — on the northern tip, boat-access only and the quietest option, generally home to the more upscale resorts.

If you’re deciding between Phi Phi and other bases for your wider Thailand trip, the where to stay in Phuket guide covers the mainland side of that comparison, and the best islands in Thailand guide places Phi Phi alongside the country’s other top island options.

When is the best time to visit?

November to April is the dry season: calm seas, dependable schedules, and the clearest water for snorkelling. December to February is the busiest and most expensive stretch; shoulder months like November and March-April offer similar weather with fewer crowds.

May to October is the monsoon season: cheaper but rougher, with a real chance of cancelled boats and heavier rain from September into early October. On top of that, Maya Bay itself is closed every August 1 to September 30, so if seeing the bay is the goal, those two months are off the table regardless.

Honest downsides

Phi Phi’s scenery earns its reputation, but go in knowing what to expect.

  • Maya Bay gets crowded fast. Even with the 2022 management rules, tour boats stack up at Loh Samah Bay through mid-morning, and the boardwalk into Maya Bay can feel more like a queue than a quiet cove once the day-tour fleet arrives. Early or sunrise departures are the only real way around this.
  • Ton Sai is a genuine party town at night. Bucket bars, fire shows and competing sound systems run late; guests even half a mile away report music loud enough to disrupt sleep. Book Long Beach or Laem Tong instead if you want quiet nights.
  • The islands show real environmental strain. Maya Bay’s 2018-2022 closure and ongoing swimming ban exist because the site was being loved to death by boat traffic; the current rules (no anchoring, wading-only, seasonal closure) are the trade-off for keeping it open at all.
  • Day trip vs overnight is a real trade-off. A day trip is cheaper and simpler but puts you on the water alongside every other tour boat; staying over costs more but is the only way to see the viewpoint or bays without the crowd.
  • Boats get cancelled in bad weather. Especially May-October, rough seas can delay or cancel departures with little notice; build a buffer day in if Phi Phi is a hard commitment on a tight itinerary.

FAQ

Is Phi Phi Don the same as Phi Phi Leh?

No. Ko Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island with hotels, restaurants and bars, and every ferry docks there. Phi Phi Leh, 15-20 minutes away by boat, is uninhabited and holds Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave as a day-trip stop only.

How do you get to Phi Phi Islands from Phuket?

From Rassada Pier near Phuket Town: standard ferry about 2 hours for ฿600 one-way (฿1,200 return), or speedboat in 1-1.5 hours for ฿850 one-way (฿1,700 return). Both run daily; book a day or two ahead in December-April high season.

Can you visit Phi Phi Islands from Krabi or Ao Nang?

Yes. Ferries from Ao Nang or Krabi town take about 1.5-2 hours and cost roughly ฿600-650 one-way, so there’s no need to route through Phuket if that’s not your base.

How much does it cost to enter Maya Bay?

The Mu Ko Phi Phi national park fee is ฿400 (~US$12) per foreign adult and ฿200 (~US$6) per child, separate from any ferry or tour ticket and usually paid in cash on the day. Thai nationals pay ฿40/฿20.

Can you still swim at Maya Bay?

No, not in the main bay. Since the 2022 reopening, swimming is banned to protect the coral; you can only wade knee-deep in a marked zone. Swim instead at Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island, or Phi Phi Don’s own beaches.

Is a Phi Phi day trip better than staying overnight?

A day trip (8-10 hours from Phuket, Krabi or Ao Nang) covers all the highlights and is simpler and cheaper. Staying overnight costs more but gets you the viewpoint at sunrise and the bays before the day-tour fleet arrives. Pick overnight if Phi Phi is the main event of your trip.

Is Phi Phi worth visiting given how crowded it is?

Yes, but go in with realistic expectations: Maya Bay fills with tour boats by mid-morning and Ton Sai is a loud party village at night. An early or sunrise tour, or an overnight stay timed to beat the fleet, still delivers the scenery without the worst of the crowds.

When is the best time to visit Phi Phi Islands?

November to April, the dry season with calm seas and the clearest water; December-February is busiest. May-October is cheaper but rougher, and Maya Bay itself is closed every August 1-September 30 for coral recovery.

Conclusion

Phi Phi rewards planning around its two-island split and its rules: know that Phi Phi Don is where you sleep and Phi Phi Leh is where Maya Bay actually is, budget for the ฿400 park fee separately from your boat ticket, and pick an early or sunrise departure if the crowds are your main concern. For the wider Phuket side of this trip, see things to do in Phuket for how a Phi Phi day fits into a longer stay, and best time to visit Phuket for how the same seasons affect the mainland. If you’re comparing Phi Phi against Thailand’s other island options, best islands in Thailand covers where it ranks, and browse what’s on in Thailand right now to build the rest of your trip around live events near your dates.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phi Phi Don the same as Phi Phi Leh?

No, they're two separate islands about 15-20 minutes apart by boat. Ko Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited one, with Ton Sai village, hotels, restaurants and bars, and it's where every ferry and overnight stay lands. Phi Phi Leh is uninhabited, ringed by limestone cliffs, and holds Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave. Nobody sleeps on Phi Phi Leh; it's a day-trip destination reached by boat from Phi Phi Don or from the mainland.

How do you get to Phi Phi Islands from Phuket?

Ferries leave from Rassada Pier near Phuket Town several times a day, take about 2 hours, and cost roughly ฿600 one-way or ฿1,200 return per person. Speedboats from the same pier cover the same route in about 1-1.5 hours for around ฿850 one-way or ฿1,700 return. Both run daily year-round, though seas can get rough and departures can be cancelled or delayed in the May-October monsoon months. Book a day or two ahead in the December-April high season.

Can you visit Phi Phi Islands from Krabi or Ao Nang?

Yes, and it's just as common a gateway as Phuket. Ferries from Ao Nang or Krabi town take about 1.5-2 hours and cost roughly ฿600-650 one-way. If your base is Krabi or Ao Nang rather than Phuket, there's no need to backtrack through Phuket first; book directly from your pier.

How much does it cost to enter Maya Bay?

Maya Bay sits inside Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which charges a separate entrance fee of ฿400 (~US$12) for foreign adults and ฿200 (~US$6) for foreign children, on top of whatever you pay for the boat or tour. Thai nationals pay ฿40 and ฿20. Most day-tour prices exclude this fee; it's collected in cash (or sometimes pre-added to the ticket) on the day. Park officials say the rate has been stable since 2010, but confirm at booking since fees can change.

Can you still swim at Maya Bay?

Not in the main bay. Since Maya Bay reopened in 2022 after its long closure, swimming has been banned to protect the recovering coral and marine life; you can wade in knee-deep water in a marked zone but full swimming isn't allowed. If open water is the point of your trip, plan to swim and snorkel at Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island or off Ko Phi Phi Don instead, and treat Maya Bay as a photo and short-walk stop.

Is a Phi Phi day trip better than staying overnight?

A day trip from Phuket, Krabi or Ao Nang is the simplest option and covers Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave and Bamboo Island in one long day, typically 8-10 hours door to door. Staying overnight on Ko Phi Phi Don costs more (accommodation plus your own return ferry) but means you can hike to the viewpoint at sunrise or sunset, are on the water before the day-tour boats arrive each morning, and get an evening on the island once the tour crowds leave. If Phi Phi is your main stop rather than a side trip, one or two nights is worth it; if you're island-hopping fast, a day trip is more efficient.

Is Phi Phi worth visiting given how crowded it is?

Maya Bay and the surrounding cliffs are as striking in person as in photos, but go in with realistic expectations: Maya Bay gets genuinely crowded with tour boats stacked at the jetty by mid-morning, and Ton Sai village on Phi Phi Don is a loud, backpacker party scene at night. If you go on an early or sunrise tour, or stay overnight and move before the day-trip fleet arrives, the scenery still delivers. If you're expecting an empty, undiscovered beach, this isn't that island anymore.

When is the best time to visit Phi Phi Islands?

November to April is the dry season, with calm seas, reliable ferry and speedboat schedules, and the best underwater visibility for snorkelling; December to February is the busiest and most expensive stretch within that window. May to October is cheaper and quieter but brings rougher crossings and a real chance of cancelled boats, and Maya Bay itself is closed every August 1 to September 30 for coral recovery, so that two-month window is off the table regardless of your dates.

Out Thailand Team

Based in Chiang Mai

The Out Thailand team lives in and around Chiang Mai and writes practical, on-the-ground guides to events, cost of living, and daily life in Thailand.